Collapsible dish drying rack

ABSTRACT

A collapsible dish drying rack is provided. A plurality of shaped wires is rotatably mounted on two arms attached to a pivotable first wire support members and on a second wire support member. The first wire support member is pivoted upwardly to raise the shaped wires and pivoted downwardly to lower the shaped wire thereby to position the wires between the wire support members in a relatively flat position. An outside surface of the pivotable first support member can function as a cutting board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a collapsible dish drying rack and in one embodiment, a combination collapsible dish drying rack and cutting board.

In the past, dish drying racks and cutting boards have been separate units. Cutting boards are normally comprised of a rectangular piece of wood or plastic having a horizontal cutting surface. The surface must be of relatively high strength, such that it can withstand the downward forces of a cutting utensil. Thus, such cutting boards are designed to lay flat on a counter top or the like. After use of the cutting board is completed, it is washed and then stored to free up kitchen counter space for some other use.

Generally, dish drying racks are made of plastic or plastic coated metal wires that can be configured to hold dishes, glasses and cups. The drying rack is placed on a drain board made of flexible plastic or rubber-like material having a drain surface which directs the run-off into a sink for disposal. After use of the drying rack is completed, it is usually stored in order to free up counter space adjacent the sink.

It would be desirable to minimize use of counter spacer when using a cutting board and a dish drying rack in order to provide additional counter space availability for other normal kitchen activities such as food preparation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, a collapsible dish drying rack is provided. The dish drying rack comprises a plurality of bent wires shaped to accommodate dishes and containers for liquid such as glasses or cups or silverware. The wires are rotatably mounted on arms which extend from a first support member and on a second wire support member. The first wire support member is pivotally mounted with respect to the second wire support member so that the wires can be raised above the surface of the second wire support member and subsequently can be lowered so that they lie substantially flat between the two wire support members. The second wire support member can be an independent member or can comprise a portion of a kitchen counter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway view of the apparatus of this invention in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a partially open position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the fully open position.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the wires of the apparatus of this invention within their mountings.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the mounting arm for the wires of the apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative structure containing the top surface to which the support arms for the wire can be attached.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of this invention wherein the wires are attached directly to a kitchen counter surface.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention with a support arm.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 10 in a closed position.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the combination dish rack and cutting board 10 of this invention can comprise two wire support members (boards) 12 and 14. Board 12 includes a substantially flat surface 16 which can function as a cutting board. The wire members rotatably mounted in tubes or clips or the like 38 and 40. Surface 16 can be a decorative surface if desired. The wire members 20 of a dish rack are positioned between wire support members 12 and 14 in a closed, relatively flat position. The wire support members can be made of metal, wood or plastic or the like. The wire members 20 are shaped so that they do not fold on each other at any point.

Referring to FIG. 2, the apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown in partially open position by lifting wire support member 12 as indicated by arrow 18. The dish rack comprises a plurality of shaped wire members 20 that are rotatably mounted on arms 22 and 24 and can be rotatably mounted on surface 26 of support member 14.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the apparatus of this invention 10 is shown in the fully open position wherein board 12 is in a substantially vertical position. As shown in FIG. 3, arms 22 and 24 are attached to wire 28. Wire 28 is rotatably mounted at each end, 29 and 30 on surface 32 of board 12. The dishes 31 are in a substantially vertical position when they are drying.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the wires 20 is rotatably mounted on arms 22 and 24 such as by positioning them within tubes 34 and 36. The wires 20 also can be positioned within tubes 38 and 40 which can be open to accommodate the wires 20 and closed to retain the wires. Tubes 38 and 40 can be replaced by clips or the like to permit wires 20 to rotate therein

Referring to FIG. 7, the apparatus of this invention can include a utensil container 42 which can have a collapsible construction such as a collapsible bag made of plastic, cloth or metal or the like having a mesh like quality that allows water to drip through it. It can be removable for cleaning. Wire 28 a can be extended to permit access to the container 42. The surface 26 also can be provided with a drain hole 44 which connects to a nearby sink (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 8, wire support member (board) 12 (FIG. 2) can be replaced by a box structure 12 a to which are attached wire support member 28 and arms 22 and 24.

Referring to FIG. 9 board, the board 14 of FIGS. 1-4 can be replaced by a a portion of the surface of a kitchen counter 48 onto which are positioned wires 20.

Surface 48 can be provided with a drain which is connected to a nearby sink (not shown). Surface 48 preferably is depressed from the surface of the kitchen counter so that when board 12 is closed, the outer surface of the board 12 is flush with the surrounding kitchen counter top surface.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the apparatus of this invention is shown with a support arm 50 which prevents the wire support member 12 from closing after it has been open in order to protect dishes supported by the shaped wire members 20. The arm 50 is prevented from moving by a stop comprising a depression or extension 52 on wire support member 12. Arm 50 also can be a locking or lockable hinge. When it is desired to close wire support member 12, support arm 50 is lifted away from wire support member 14 and folded into the position shown in FIG. 11. If desired, the support arm and stop can be positioned at the forward surface 54 of arm 24.

Referring to FIG. 12, the apparatus 56 of this invention can include supports 58 for wires 20 which includes slots 60 into which the wires 20 fit. Alternatively, holes can be used rather than the slots. The apparatus also can include elevated liquid barriers 62 to direct liquid to drainage areas 64. The apparatus 56 also can include a cutaway section 66 to allow placement of the apparatus 56 over a raised sink edge (not shown). 

1. A combination apparatus comprising a drying rack and cutting board which comprises: a first wire support member pivotally mounted to a second wire support member; and, a plurality of shaped wires rotatably mounted on arms extending from said first wire support member and on said second support member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said horizontal surface functions as a cutting board.
 3. The apparatus of any one of claim 1 or 2 which includes a glass rack.
 4. The apparatus of any one of claim 1 or 2 wherein said second wire support member comprises a portion of a kitchen counter.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second wire support surface comprises a portion of a kitchen counter.
 6. The apparatus of any one of claim 1 or 2 wherein said second wire support member includes a drain hole.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second wire support member includes a drain hole.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a horizontal surface of said wire support member is exposed with said first wire support member is positioned in a substantially horizontal position with respect to said second support member, a horizontal surface on said wire support member is exposed; and, wherein said plurality of shaped wires are shaped to support dishes in a substantially vertical position when said first wire support member is in a substantially vertical position with respect to said second wire support member.
 9. The apparatus of any one of claim 1 or 2 which includes a support arm which can be positioned to prevent said first wire support member from closing.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wire frame structure further comprises: at least two arms; and at least two wire support members wherein the at least two arms are in sliding communication with the at least two wire support members.
 11. A combination cutting and retaining apparatus comprising: a box structure comprising an exterior portion and interior portion wherein the upper surface of the exterior portion of the box structure comprises a cutting surface and the lower portion of the interior of box structure comprises a containment area; and, a wire frame structure comprising opposing vertical and horizontal wire members disposed to retain objects in a substantially upright position wherein the wire frame structure is enclosed within the containment area the box structure.
 12. The combination cutting and retaining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the containment area comprises a fluid drainage system.
 13. The combination cutting and retaining apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a hinge member comprising a first side and a second side wherein the first side is in mechanical communication with the exterior portion and the second side is in mechanical communication with the interior portion so as to allow the exterior portion to rotatable in relation to the interior portion.
 14. The combination cutting and retaining apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wire frame structure further comprises: at least two arms; and at least two wire support members; a wire mechanism comprising a set of two end portions and a middle portion; and, and a rack mechanism attached between an individual of the set of two end portions and a middle portion an outward portion of the wire; wherein the wire is in slidable communication with the at least two arms can be extended to permit access to the rack.
 15. The combination cutting and retaining apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a support arm.
 16. The combination cutting and retaining apparatus of claim 15 wherein the support arm comprises a stop mechanism.
 17. The combination cutting and retaining apparatus of claim 15 wherein the stop mechanism comprises a depression located on the wire support member.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the stop mechanism comprises an extension in communication with the wire support member.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the support arm comprises a hinged construction.
 20. A collapsible silverware holder comprising: a base mechanism; a holder mechanism; a horizontal support wire mechanism wherein the holder mechanism is attached to the horizontal support wire and the horizontal support wire is attached to the base; a lower wire mechanism attached to the horizontal support wire and the base; and a upper extension wire mechanism. 